Renault's Logan Thriving In Tough Times

"We are resisting the crisis," Arnault Barral, marketing director for Renault's Dacia subsidiary, told Automotive News Europe. "There's always been a market in Europe for pragmatic customers who are looking for the combination of price, equipment and versatility seen on the Logan."

The Logan's momentum was set last summer with the successful launch of the Sandero hatchback as tough economic conditions were taking hold. European sales of the Logan increased 42.6 percent to 89,755 units during the first 10 months of this year compared to 80,000 sold during all of 2007, the publication said.

Dacia's sales were rising even as J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting reported that total European new-car sales fell 25 percent during November, Automotive News Europe noted.